Gumshara Ramen

Shop 211 25-29 Dixon St 
Haymarket, NSW 2000

I may be a stolid Melbournian, but there is no denying that Sydney has its perks. The first one is ramen – Gumshara Ramen to be precise, serving up what’s almost unanimously agreed to be the best ramen in Sydney.

Located in an unglamorous food court that’s nevertheless a mecca for lovers of Asian cuisine, the small store front gives but a glimpse of what’s going on behind the scenes. Hundreds of kilos of pork bones in metal vats were slowly being reduced into a thick stock over not hours, but days.

Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle ($10.5)

Chris opted for just a plain bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle ($10.5). Now, the menu said that the soup was ‘thick’, but we weren’t prepared for just how gelatinous it was. The pork stock was so unctuous that it clung to the noodles, and almost solidified in the mouth. It was immensely gratifying, but also incredibly rich, and we had trouble finishing it. The pork and toppings weren’t anything special, but they got the job done. 

Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle ($11.5) with Soft Boiled Egg ($1.5)

Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle ($11.5) with Soft Boiled Egg ($1.5)

I like my ramen with a good hit of garlic, so the Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle ($11.5) with Soft Boiled Egg ($1.5) was just what the doctor ordered. Exactly the same as the tonkotsu ramen, but for a slick of garlic oil and a scattering of roasted garlic on top (and a soft boiled egg – you can’t have ramen without a perfect gooey egg) , it is perfect for those of you who like noodles with a little more oomph.

Gumshara ramen still isn’t quite as good as what I’ve been lucky enough to eat in Japan, but it comes pretty darn close. With its ridiculously thick pork stock and selection of self-serve pickles and condiments, it is a little slice of ramen heaven – lucky Sydney-siders!

Rating: 15/20 – ramen heaven.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.